University Counselling
Students in any grade can book individual sessions to explore post-secondary options.
At KES, it is our goal to help prepare our students for life after high school. While the vast majority of our graduates go on to university, some choose another form of higher learning, such as an art school, culinary school, or community college. The Guidance Department’s mission is to help each student find the university or school that is the right fit for them. Each student’s journey will be a personal one, but we believe that we can make the process easier through good preparation. Preparing students for life after KES starts in the Junior School where students complete online career assessments such as Career Cruising, and attend career information nights. The intensity of preparation increases in the Senior School when students develop action plans and begin their research into different programs and schools.
Each student is assigned an academic advisor to aid them in this process. They are also encouraged to visit the Guidance Centre to research the myriad of post-secondary options available to them. Students planning to apply to schools in the USA will also begin preparing for the SAT. KES is a SAT testing site, and we offer the SATs three times per year as printed in the School Planner. In their final year, students will attend university preparatory groups throughout the first term which will guide them through the process of deciding the right school and program for them, as well as aiding them through the application and scholarship process. It will also give students an opportunity to learn about and discuss various topics related to post-secondary schools. Students will also meet individually with the Director of School Counselling to discuss any questions or concerns they may have as well as to develop and track their post-secondary goals.
All Grade 9 students will complete a portfolio in Xello. This is a fantastic online program that looks at students’ interests and skills and suggests careers that would be suitable matches. The program also allows students to research more about careers through interviews, salary information, educational requirements, job prospects, videos, and more. They can also explore schools in Canada and the USA that offer programs in their area of interest. All of their work can be saved in a portfolio that they can access and modify as they get closer to university.
Junior School students who are interested in attending schools in the USA should be aware that they must write the SAT, and it is never too early to start preparing for these tests. They are encouraged to see Ms. Sasaki in the Guidance Centre for more information about SAT prep.
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Each student is assigned an academic advisor to aid them in this process. They are also encouraged to visit the Guidance Centre to research the myriad of post-secondary options available to them. Students planning to apply to schools in the USA will also begin preparing for the SAT. KES is a SAT testing site, and we offer the SATs three times per year as printed in the School Planner. In their final year, students will attend university preparatory groups throughout the first term which will guide them through the process of deciding the right school and program for them, as well as aiding them through the application and scholarship process. It will also give students an opportunity to learn about and discuss various topics related to post-secondary schools. Students will also meet individually with the Director of School Counselling to discuss any questions or concerns they may have as well as to develop and track their post-secondary goals.
Universities Believe in a KES Education
Junior School Planning
It's not too early to start thinking about post-secondary plans in Junior School. In fact, this is a fantastic time to explore your interests and skills and try out new things through sports, volunteering and extra-curricular involvement. Students in the Junior School have the opportunity to attend a career night in the spring where they will learn about careers in different fields. They are also welcome to visit the Guidance Centre to begin exploring different programs.
All Grade 9 students will complete a portfolio in Xello. This is a fantastic online program that looks at students’ interests and skills and suggests careers that would be suitable matches. The program also allows students to research more about careers through interviews, salary information, educational requirements, job prospects, videos, and more. They can also explore schools in Canada and the USA that offer programs in their area of interest. All of their work can be saved in a portfolio that they can access and modify as they get closer to university.
Junior School students who are interested in attending schools in the USA should be aware that they must write the SAT, and it is never too early to start preparing for these tests. They are encouraged to see Ms. Sasaki in the Guidance Centre for more information about SAT prep.
For Grade 10:
Students in the Senior School should start thinking about an action plan for the future. While there are many things to consider when planning for the future, here are some suggestions to get you started:
- Make an appointment to see Ms. Sasaki to create a Xello portfolio if you have not done so already.
- Talk to your parents and your academic advisor about your career interests.
- Consider whether you are interested in going to school in the USA. If so, begin planning for the SAT by visiting www.collegeboard.com and consider taking an SAT prep course.
- Begin researching careers online and in the Guidance Centre.
- Get out in the community and volunteer in areas that interest you.
- Dream up a “long list” of schools that interest you.
- Make an appointment with Ms. Sasaki to discuss your goals.
- Talk to your parents, relatives and other people you admire about their careers and the steps they took to get there.
For Grade 11:
Students in the Senior School should start thinking about an action plan for the future. While there are many things to consider when planning for the future, here are some suggestions to get you started:
- Review your Xello portfolio or meet with Ms. Sasaki to create one if you have not already done so. Retake the test and see if things have changed!
- Visit the Guidance Centre and peruse the viewbooks and calendars.
- Make an appointment with Ms. Sasaki to discuss your goals.
- If you are interested in going to school in the USA, sign up to write the PSAT’s in the fall. You can also see Ms. Sasaki to sign up for an SAT prep course.
- Talk to your parents, relatives and other people you admire about their careers and the steps they took to get there.
- Go online and do virtual tours of universities that appeal to you.
- International students should prepare to write the TOEFL or IELTS test.
- Explore the university rankings and university profiles in the MacLean’s magazines located in the Guidance Centre.
- Create a shortened list of schools that you are interested in attending.
For Grade 12:
Students in the Senior School should start thinking about an action plan for the future. While there are many things to consider when planning for the future, here are some suggestions to get you started:
- Create a short list of schools that you are interested in attending.
- Attend prep groups which begin in the fall.
- Develop/expand your CV/brag sheet.
- Spend time in the Guidance Centre lounge reading through the various magazines, viewbooks and university calendars.
- Visit the Guidance Centre frequently for information on upcoming university visits and scholarship opportunities
- Make an appointment with Ms. Sasaki if you would like to talk one-on-one about your career and post-secondary options.
- Arrange to visit schools that you are interested in attending.
- If you are applying to USA schools, prepare to write the SAT in the fall. Click here for more information on the SAT.
- International students should look at the requirements for the schools they are interested in and write the TOEFL or IELTS test.
- Remember to review your Xello portfolio, and explore the “Education and Training” section to learn more about different programs at universities and colleges across the country.
- Enjoy the process and don’t get overwhelmed!
About "Prep Groups"
“Prep groups” are mandatory for Grade 12 students, and they begin the second week of the School year and continue until the end of the term. Prep groups consist of about 12 students, and it is an opportunity for students to learn about and discuss various topics such as:
- types and levels of degree programs
- application processes
- scholarships—how to find them and how to apply for them
- advantages and disadvantages of small and large universities
- how to find a university that is a good fit for you
- reasons which cause first year students to interrupt or leave their studies
- prerequisite requirements for admission to all programs including professional and graduate schools
- career possibilities arising from various areas of study
- what to expect in first year university (both academically and socially)
- how to maximize chances for success at the post-secondary level - study habits, time management
King’s-Edgehill School is located in Mi'kma'ki, the unceded ancestral territory of the Mi’kmaq People.
